The US president is merely attempting to maintain a positive image in the media, according to Hamas’s spokesman in Lebanon, Dr. Ahmad Abdulhadi. He also claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has added further complications with additional conditions.
A spokesman said that Joe Biden’s optimism about an imminent Israel-Hamas ceasefire is merely an attempt to maintain calm among hostile powers, with no reported improvements.
In a press conference on Friday, the US president expressed his optimism and said that the US, Qatar, and Egypt’s negotiators only needed to resolve a small number of outstanding issues.
However, when interviewed, Dr. Ahmad Abdulhadi, Hamas’s spokesman in Lebanon, refuted these claims as “false.”
The Biden administration is making efforts to highlight the positive aspects of the environment. However, according to him, the first round did not demonstrate any improvements.
“According to the mediators, the unresolved points continue to pose a challenge, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introducing additional conditions that have further complicated the situation.”
The individual stated that Mr. Biden’s statements were aimed at maintaining a positive image in the media and preventing the Axis of Resistance from reacting to the assassination and escalating into a regional conflict.
Iran is in charge of the Axis of Resistance, an alliance that includes various Islamist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.
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It is alleged that Israel carried out an operation in Iran last month, resulting in the death of Hamas’s chief political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Hamas has condemned the incident as a “treacherous raid on his residence in Tehran.”
According to Mr. Netanyahu’s office, there is a sense of cautious optimism regarding the possibility of a ceasefire on Saturday.
It is hoped that increased pressure on Hamas from the US and other parties will lead to a change in their position on the American proposal, potentially paving the way for a breakthrough.
In the midst of escalating tensions in the region, two different accounts of the negotiations have surfaced, coinciding with reports of recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank on Saturday.
A tragic incident occurred in Gaza on Saturday morning, resulting in the loss of lives for at least 18 individuals, including a family of 15 members. A strike was carried out on a house and an adjacent warehouse that were being used as a refuge for displaced individuals in Zawaida. The hospital authorities have confirmed the unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, the health ministry of Lebanon has sadly reported the loss of 10 lives, including a mother and her two children, due to an Israeli strike on a residential block in the southern city of Nabatieh on Saturday. Five others were also injured in this tragic incident.
The IDF is currently investigating the report on the Gaza fatalities and has stated that its target was a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in Lebanon. They have also confirmed hitting other “military structures” in the south of the country that were considered a threat.
Israeli Army Radio has also verified that four individuals lost their lives in an airstrike in the West Bank city of Jenin on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the families of the remaining 115 hostages still missing inside Gaza gathered at a protest in Tel Aviv. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak voiced his concerns, calling for Mr. Netanyahu’s impeachment over the current hostage deal.
“His blatant disregard for the law during this critical period warrants the call for impeachment.” “Unfit!” he exclaimed on X.
Hamas comments should be regarded with the utmost seriousness.
Crawford emphasises the importance of taking Dr. Abdulhadi’s comments seriously.
According to her, if one side accuses the other of being dishonest and manipulative, it appears that there is very little room for negotiation.
In a joint statement, the US, Qatar, and Egypt expressed that Washington has put forth a new proposal that takes into account previous points of agreement. This proposal aims to bridge gaps and facilitate the quick implementation of a deal.
The talks in Qatar concluded on Friday night and will resume in Cairo next week. Mediators will continue to work on the proposal during this time, according to the statement.
“The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalating regional tensions,” stated the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
A statement from the UK, France, Italy, and Germany echoed President Biden’s hopeful outlook.
“It is encouraging to see that there will be ongoing technical work in the coming days, focussing on humanitarian provisions and the arrangements concerning hostages and detainees,” stated the four foreign ministries.
The statement from Israel expressed a level of appreciation for the mediators’ efforts, while Hamas’ previous statement did not convey much enthusiasm towards the latest offer.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the military campaign in Gaza has resulted in a tragic loss of life. They reported that a significant number of people, 40,074, have been killed. This devastating toll is a result of the ongoing conflict.